Astrophotography is a specialized type of photography that involves capturing images of astronomical objects and phenomena. To get the best results, it is important to use the right type of telescope. In this article, we will introduce the best telescopes for astrophotography and explain how they can help you take amazing photos of the night sky.
There are two main types of telescopes that are commonly used for astrophotography: refractors and reflectors. Refractor telescopes use lenses to gather light, while reflector telescopes use mirrors. Both types of telescopes have their own advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to choose the right one for your needs.
Refractor telescopes are generally better suited for wide-field astrophotography, while reflector telescopes are better for deep-sky astrophotography. If you want to take photos of large objects like the Milky Way, a refractor telescope is the best choice. If you want to take photos of smaller objects like galaxies and nebulae, a reflector telescope is a better option.
There are many different types of refractor and reflector telescopes available on the market, so it is important to do your research before choosing one. Best TechSmart recommend checking out reviews from other astroph
1. Orion ShortTube 80 Refractor Telescope Optical Tube Assembly
Refractor telescopes are a popular choice for amateur astronomers because of their fast wide field of view optics that are excellent for guide star acquisition and viewing expansive celestial objects. The Orion ShortTube 80 Refractor Telescope Optical Tube Assembly is fully multicoated with an 80mm aperture and a focal length of 50mm. This setup delivers bright widefield images with sharp resolution, and it only weighs 295 lbs and measures 15″ long, making it easy to add to an astrophotography system without overloading your telescope mount. The Orion ShortTube 80 Refractor Telescope Optical Tube Assembly is sold as an optical tube assembly only without accessories, and accessories are sold separately.
- An ideal refractor telescope optical tube assembly for use as a guide scope with a CCD autoguider, or for wide-field observations
- Fast, wide field-of-view optics excel at guide star acquisition and viewing expansive celestial objects
- Fully multi-coated 80mm aperture f/5.0 optics deliver bright, wide-field images with sharp resolution
- Weighs just 2.95 lbs. and measures 15" long - can easily be added to an astrophotography system without overloading your telescope mount
- Sold as optical tube assembly only without accessories - accessories sold separately
2. Sky Watcher EvoStar Optical Assembly S11180
There are pros and cons to every telescope, and the Sky Watcher EvoStar Optical Assembly S11180EXPERTLY MATCHED GLASS is no exception. On the plus side, this telescope offers excellent color correction for visual and photographic uses, thanks to its matched doublet objective and synthetic fluorite element. It’s also portable and lightweight, making it a great travel companion. Additionally, the EvoStar series is versatile enough to use as your primary optical tube, no matter your skill level.
However, there are a couple of downsides to consider. First, the focuser is a bit difficult to use, especially for beginners. Second, the aluminum case that comes with the telescope is a bit flimsy and could use some improvement.
Overall, the Sky Watcher EvoStar Optical Assembly S11180EXPERTLY MATCHED GLASS is a great telescope for the price. It offers excellent color correction, portability, and versatility, while also being easy to use. If you’re looking for an affordable telescope that can grow with your skill set, the EvoStar series is a great option.
- EXPERTLY MATCHED GLASS: The EvoStar series features a matched doublet objective including one synthetic fluorite element, providing excellent color correction for visual and photographic uses.
- OUTSTANDING COLOR CORRECTION: Using the finest quality glass and proprietary Metallic High-Transmission Coatings (MHTC), EvoStar refractors produce tack sharp images with accurate color and minimal aberrations.
- PORTABLE TRAVEL SIZE: Using a compact design, this refractor is easy to transport and lightweight to support, making it the perfect travel companion.
- EVOLVES WITH SKILL: No need to replace this telescope as your skill set evolves. Whether you’re a seasoned astrophotographer or a budding novice, EvoStar refractors are versatile enough to use as your primary optical tube as your skill set improves.
- 10:1 DUAL-SPEED FOCUSER: No matter the eyepiece or camera, finding focus is a breeze with this 10:1 dual-speed Crayford-style focuser.
3. Sky Watcher Telescope Affordable Astrophotography S11305
Sky Watcher Telescope S11305 is a great choice for wide field astrophotography. It features a new lightweight compact design, and its new optical design features our proprietary Metallic HighTransmission Coatings. This telescope has a 62mm aperture and a 400mm focal length.
The Sky Watcher Telescope S11305 is perfect for anyone interested in wide field astrophotography. It’s very easy to use, and its lightweight design makes it perfect for taking with you on camping trips or other outdoor excursions. The new optical design provides excellent image quality, and the Metallic HighTransmission Coatings help to maximize light transmission.
The only downside to the Sky Watcher Telescope S11305 is that it’s not as powerful as some of the other telescopes on the market. If you’re looking for a telescope that can provide a more powerful magnification, then you may want to consider investing in a model with a higher aperture. However, for anyone interested in wide field astrophotography, the Sky Watcher Telescope S11305 is an excellent choice.
- New ED doublet apochromatic optical design
- New lightweight, compact design perfect for wide field astrophotography
- New optical design featuring our proprietary Metallic High-Transmission Coatings (MHTC)
- 62mm aperture
- 400mm focal length
4. Sky Watcher ProED Doublet Refractor Telescope
The Sky Watcher ProED Doublet Refractor Telescope is an outstanding telescope for both visual and photographic uses. The EvoStar series features a matched doublet objective including one synthetic fluorite element providing excellent color correction. Using the finest quality glass and proprietary Metallic HighTransmission Coatings, the EvoStar refractors produce tack sharp images with accurate color and minimal aberrations. No need to replace this telescope as your skill set evolves – the EvoStar refractors are versatile enough to use as your primary optical tube. The 101 dualspeed focuser makes finding focus a breeze, and the included 8×50 Right Angle Correct Image RACI Finderscope, 2 Dielectric Diagonal, 5mm and 25mm LET Eyepiece, 125 Adapter, Mounting Rings, and VStyle Dovetail make this telescope ready to use right out of the box.
- EXPERTLY MATCHED GLASS: The EvoStar series features a matched doublet objective including one synthetic fluorite element, providing excellent color correction for visual and photographic uses
- OUTSTANDING COLOR CORRECTION: Using the finest quality glass and proprietary Metallic High-Transmission Coatings (MHTC), EvoStar refractors produce tack sharp images with accurate color and minimal aberrations
- EVOLVES WITH SKILL: No need to replace this telescope as your skill set evolves. Whether you’re a seasoned astrophotographer or a budding novice, EvoStar refractors are versatile enough to use as your primary optical tube as your skill-set improves
- 10:1 DUAL-SPEED FOCUSER: No matter the eyepiece or camera, finding focus is a breeze with this 10:1 dual-speed Crayford-style focuser
- EVERYTHING YOU NEED: The EvoStar 100 comes complete with a foam-lined aluminum hard case, 8x50 Right Angle Correct Image (RACI) Finderscope, 2” Dielectric Diagonal, 5mm and 25mm LET Eyepiece, 1.25” Adapter, Mounting Rings and a V-Style Dovetail
5. Sky Watcher Telescope Procurable Affordable Astrophotography
There is no question that astrophotography can provide some of the most amazing images imaginable. However, the equipment required for this type of photography is typically very expensive. But what if you could get great results without spending a fortune?
Thanks to advances in technology, there are now some great options for affordable astrophotography. One such option is the Sky Watcher Telescope. This telescope is perfect for wide field astrophotography, and it features a new ED doublet apochromatic optical design. It is also lightweight and compact, making it perfect for taking on trips.
In addition, the Sky Watcher Telescope features our proprietary Metallic High Transmission Coatings. This coating allows for more light to be transmitted through the telescope, resulting in better images.
The Sky Watcher Telescope is also very easy to use. It comes with a pre-assembled azimuth mount, which makes it simple to set up and use.
So, if you are looking for an affordable telescope that is perfect for astrophotography, the Sky Watcher Telescope is a great option. It is easy to use, and it produces great results.
- New ED doublet apochromatic optical design
- New lightweight, compact design perfect for wide field astrophotography
- New optical design featuring our proprietary Metallic High-Transmission Coatings (MHTC)
- 82mm aperture
- 530mm focal length
6. Explore Scientific ED80 Essential Series Refractor Telescope
There is no question that an Explore Scientific ED80 Essential Series Refractor Telescope is a high-quality instrument. It is a true apochromatic AirSpaced Triplet Refractor Telescope with a focal ratio of f6, limiting magnitude of 12, and resolution of 145 arcsec. With a diameter of 85mm and weight of 595 lb, it is also impressively large and heavy.
But what are the pros and cons of owning one?
On the plus side, an Explore Scientific ED80 Essential Series Refractor Telescope is a great choice for anyone looking for a high-quality, long-term telescope investment. It is very well made and will give you years of enjoyment. It is also great for viewing both planets and deep-sky objects.
However, there are a few downsides to consider as well. First, this telescope is quite large and heavy, so it may not be the best choice for those who want to transport it frequently. It also costs a bit more than some other models on the market.
Overall, the Explore Scientific ED80 Essential Series Refractor Telescope is a top-quality telescope that is sure to please even the most discerning astronomer. It offers great value for the price and is sure to provide many hours of enjoyment.
- True apochromatic Air-Spaced Triplet Refractor Telescope
- Focal Ratio f/6, Limiting Magnitude 12, Resolution 1.45 arcsec
- Diameter 85mm
- Weight 5.95 lb; 2.7 kg
- Support after the sale
7. Orion 9534 ED80T CF Triplet Apochromatic Refractor Telescope
The Orion 9534 ED80T CF Triplet Apochromatic Refractor Telescope is a versatile triplet apochromatic refractor telescope featuring ED (extra-low dispersion) extralow dispersion glass for exceptional resolution devoid of aberrations. This fast f6 focal ratio and 80mm aperture refractor excels in both visual and astrophotography applications.
The lightweight yet strong carbon fiber tube optical tube assembly construction makes this a great telescope to look at and through. Wonderful telescope for astrophotography thanks to its small size and weight coupled with great widefield apochromatic optics. The included robust dualspeed 111 2 Crayford focuser 2to125 stepdown adapter dovetail finder scope base Starry Night astronomy software and foamlined hard carry case make this an excellent value for the money.
- Versatile triplet apochromatic refractor telescope featuring ED (extra-low dispersion) glass for exceptional resolution devoid of aberrations
- Fast f/6 focal ratio and 80mm aperture refractor excels in both visual and astrophotography applications
- Lightweight yet strong carbon fiber tube optical tube assembly construction makes this a great telescope to look at and through
- Wonderful telescope for astrophotography thanks to its small size and weight coupled with great wide-field apochromatic optics
- Includes robust dual-speed (11:1) 2" Crayford focuser, 2"-to-1.25" stepdown adapter, dovetail finder scope base, Starry Night astronomy software and foam-lined hard carry case
8. Celestron CPC 800 XLT Computerized Telescope w/Tube and Tripod
The Celestron CPC 800 XLT Computerized Telescope is an 8-inch Schmidt Cassegrain telescope that is 2032 millimeters in focal length. The telescope is made with an aluminum optical tube construction and uses the Starbright XLT high performance optical system. The telescope also has the convenient remote hand control holder, which allows you to view information handsfree while using the scope. The telescope also has the SkyAlign alignment technology and the 9×50 finderscope to help accurately find objects.
The Celestron CPC 800 XLT Computerized Telescope is a great telescope for the beginner or experienced stargazer. The telescope is easy to use and set up and has a variety of features that make it a great choice for anyone looking for a quality telescope. The Starbright XLT high performance optical system ensures clear, crisp images every time and the SkyAlign alignment technology makes aligning the telescope a breeze. The finderscope helps to accurately find objects, which is a great feature for beginners.
The only drawback to the Celestron CPC 800 XLT Computerized Telescope is that it is a bit on the expensive side. However, the telescope is well worth the price and is sure to provide hours of enjoyment for the stargazer in your life.
- Item may ship in more than one box and may arrive separately
- 8 inch Schmidt Cassegrain telescope
- 2032 millimeter focal length
- Aluminum optical tube construction
- Starbright XLT high performance optical system ; Convenient remote hand control holder - Allows you to view information hands-free while using the scope
FAQs
As an avid astrophotographer, I often get asked about the best telescopes for this type of photography. While there is no definitive answer, as the best telescope for astrophotography depends on the specific needs of the photographer, I have compiled five of the most common questions and my answers to them below.
1. What is the best telescope for astrophotography?
There is no single best telescope for astrophotography. However, a telescope with a large aperture and a stable mount are both important factors to consider when choosing a telescope for astrophotography.
2. What is the difference between a telescope and a camera lens?
A telescope is an optical instrument that uses lenses and mirrors to collect light from objects in the night sky and magnify them. A camera lens is a type of lens that is used to capture images with a camera.
3. What is the best way to mount a telescope for astrophotography?
The best way to mount a telescope for astrophotography depends on the type of telescope being used. Some telescopes can be mounted on a photographic tripod, while others require a more stable mount such as an equatorial mount.
4. What is the best way to focus a telescope for astrophotography?
The best way to focus a telescope for astrophotography varies depending on the type of telescope being used. Some telescopes can be focused by adjusting the focus ring on the lens, while others require the use of a focuser.
5. What are the best accessories for astrophotography?
The best accessories for astrophotography depend on the specific needs of the photographer. However, some common accessories for astrophotography include a camera mount, a laptop computer, and software for processing images.
